SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — San Diego native Kevin Vance is coming home. San Diego State University announced last week that he will be the new head coach of the Aztec baseball team.
Vance joins SDSU after two successful seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Arizona, where he helped lead the Wildcats to the 2025 NCAA Men’s College World Series.
“This job means the world to me,” Vance said. “I’m coming back home and I’m excited to get to work and be a part of this San Diego and San Diego State community.
“I plan on winning and winning fast. We’re going to coach the guys hard and we’re going to prepare them for life. I can’t wait to get over there and get to work.”
Vance grew up in San Diego and starred at Torrey Pines High School. He went on to become an All-American player at the University of Connecticut and played five seasons in the minor leagues after being drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2011.
SDSU Athletics Director John David Wicker said Vance stood out during a nationwide search.
“I’m very excited to welcome Kevin Vance to The Mesa as our seventh baseball head coach,” Wicker said. “As a San Diego native, Kevin is very familiar with SDSU and our baseball program and is ready to lead our program back to the NCAA tournament.”
Vance’s hiring was supported by SDSU baseball legends like Stephen Strasburg and Bud Black,
“It’s a great day to be an Aztec,” said Strasburg. “I’m excited to see Kevin take SDSU baseball to new heights. I believe that we will win!”
Black, also commenting on the hire, said, ““Kevin is a passionate, hard-working, and innovative baseball coach. He brings a broad background in college coaching and with his local ties, a strong relationship will be built within the community which will enhance recruiting.”
Vance replaces the outgoing head coach and becomes just the seventh person to lead the program.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
